Live Review: Mr Bungle - O2 Ritz, Manchester
13th June 2024
Support: Spotlights
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
The O2 Ritz in Manchester was buzzing with anticipation as fans gathered for an unforgettable night headlined by the avant-garde metal band Mr. Bungle. From what I can tell (relying on google to answer this question) this is the first run of dates the band have had in the UK for twenty four years! The evening promised a rare mix of chaos, humour, and musical mastery.
Spotlights took to the stage first, and their performance was nothing short of mesmerising. The band's unique blend of doom, shoegaze, and sludge metal created a heavy, immersive atmosphere that captivated the audience. Their set was a sonic journey, with dense layers of guitar, thunderous bass, and ethereal vocals that washed over the crowd. Spotlights proved to be an excellent choice to warm up the audience, their intensity and depth setting a high bar for the night.
As the lights dimmed and Mr Bungle took the stage, the energy in the room reached a fever pitch. The band, known for their eclectic and unpredictable style, did not disappoint. Their set was a wild ride through various genres, blending metal, punk, jazz, and even pop with a sense of humour and technical.
The show kicked off with a whimsical cover of Fred Rogers ‘Won't You Be My Neighbor?’ a tongue-in-cheek nod that set the tone for the evening. From there, they launched into the frenetic ‘Grizzly Adams’ and ‘Anarchy Up Your Anus’, showcasing their signature blend of chaos and precision.
The set continued to oscillate between original tracks like ‘Eracist’ and ‘Spreading the Thighs of Death’, and covers such as the Cro-Mags' ‘Malfunction’ and Slayer's ‘Hell Awaits’, each performed with a unique Mr. Bungle twist.
Patton ever the cheeky front man taunts the Manchester crowd about football rivalries, and stops the show for a good five minutes to let the band battle it out over the best/worst Dad jokes. Trey Spruance somehow wins the competition despite Dave Lombardo easily getting the louder reception from the crowd.
The setlist was a rollercoaster, with tracks like ‘Raping Your Mind’ and ‘Sudden Death’ delivering relentless energy and aggression, while their cover of Seals & Crofts' ‘Summer Breeze’ offered a brief, dreamy respite. The encore was equally memorable, starting with a powerful cover of Sepultura's ‘Territory’, which included a cheeky "beans on toast" chant, and ending with a hilariously altered version of Eric Carmen's ‘All by Myself’, changed to "Go Fuck Yourself" with a raucous singalong ending.
It had been along time coming and the sold out Manchester crowd loved every minute of this show. Mr Bungle can be an acquired taste, but tonight in Manchester, there was nothing but adoration for them.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
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